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The Mulu Pinnacles are a collection of 50-metre tall, jagged limestone rocks that emerge from the jungle half way up the slopes of Mount Api. The trek to see these razor-sharp, limestone spikes is tough and challenging. However, those who are up for the challenge will be rewarded with a stunning view of the stone spikes and a real sense of achievement.

The Pinnacles climb is normally done as 3 day / 2 night trek but most tour packages also include visits to the show caves making it a 4 day / 3 night trip.

The trail to the karst Pinnacles is only 2.4 kilometres long but it rises some 1,200 metres from Camp 5 to the viewpoint which overlooks the tooth-like rocks. Owing to the step slope and humidity you need to be relatively fit to do the Pinnacles trek.

The beginning of the trail passes through lowland dipterocarp rainforest. As you progress up the slopes the habitat changes to moss forest and the trees become smaller. Slippery green moss covers rocks and everything else at this level. Limestone rocks and debris cover the trail and it can be slippery so you need to proceed with care and get your footing right.

The latter stretches of the trail are very steep and near vertical in parts, with rope sections and ladders positioned among the rocky outcrops to help trekkers ascend. Orchids, rhododendrons and pitcher plants thrive at these upper elevations and can be spotted along the trail.

The viewpoint area is a rocky outcrop of pinnacles, boulders and vegetation. After enjoying the views, taking a few photos and a short rest, its time to head back down the trial.

The trek from Camp 5 to the Pinnacles and back takes between 5-10 hours depending on fitness levels. Fit people usually take 2-3 hours to reach the lookout point whilst 4-5 hours is not unusually for people of average fitness. Most trekkers will spend around an hour or so at the viewpoint before beginning the descent. The descent is often more difficult than the ascent as tired legs and the limestone gravel that litters the trail make for slow progress.

Day 1 Arrive Mulu National Park – Deer & Lang Caves

Pick up from the airport and transfer to Gunung Mulu National Park and check in to your accommodation.Free at leisure to explore the Mulu Park’s interpretation centre and have lunch (on own account). 1415 hours depart the park HQ and begin a scenic 3 km plankwalk through primary rainforest to the entrance of Deer Cave. Deer Cave is the world’s largest cave passage. Its scale its awesome and you are in no doubt how huge it is when you arrive at the cave entrance. The entrance of the cave is 150 m wide and 120 m high. Nowhere in this massive cave is the roof less than 90 m high. The cave has a moon-like landscape and from one vantage point, a perfect profile of President Lincoln can be observed. Next to Deer Cave is Langs Cave. The stalactites and stalagmites inside this cave are representative of the very best limestone formations in the park. After viewing the two caves, proceed to the Bat Observatory outside Deer Cave. Most evenings at sundown, a spectacular exodus of about 2 million of bats can be observed as they leave the cave in search of food. Then trek back to the park HQ by torchlight and return to accommodation.

Day 2 Wind & Clearwater Caves – Camp 5 (B/L/D)

0845 hours depart the park HQ and proceed by longboat upriver to Wind Cave with its impressive ‘King’s Chamber’. Here, stalactites and stalagmites with delicate lace-like patterns are found. A short walk along a plankwalk next to the limestone cliff followed by a climb up approximately 250 concrete steps and you arrive at the entrance to Clearwater Cave. Like most caves in Mulu, Clearwater Cave provides a habitat for unique species of plants. One of these, the one-leafed plant can only be found at Mulu. Photo-sensitive algae grow on certain rocks and produce needle-like formations that point towards the source of light. Near Clearwater Cave there is a wonderful swimming area shaded by giant rainforest trees. Enjoy a simple picnic or packed lunch. After lunch proceed to Long Litut (1 hr boat ride). Start trekking to Camp 5 (3 hrs) through a mixed dipterocarp and riparian forest. Overnight at Camp 5 which offers basic dormitory accommodation with common toilet facilities. Camp 5 is located next to the Melinau River and is a great place to swim and relax before and after your climb.

Day 3 Gunung Api / Mulu Pinnacles (B/L/D)

Following breakfast, start your trek to the Mulu Pinnacles by climbing Gunung Api. The climb is very challenging and taxing and will take about 4-5 hours. Arrive at the Pinnacles’ viewpoint in time for a packed lunch. Descend back to Camp 5 and overnight.

Day 4 Camp 5 – Mulu Airport (B/L)

Depart Camp 5, and trek to Long Litut. Proceed downstream to Park HQ. After lunch, drop off at the airport for departure flight in the afternoon.

To learn more about what to expect each day and the various experiences and activities on this trip, see Our Trek to See The Pinnacles, an article from one of our guests.

Excludes

Minimum

2 adults per order

Single Person

Surcharge will apply, please contact us for more information.

Accommodation

Note: Accommodation for this is tour is a Longhouse Room at the park HQ. Accommodation upgrade: RM 25 per person per night for Garden Bungalow or Rainforest Lodge room. RM 185 per person per night for Mulu Marriott. In the grey booking form above select the number of guests and tour date and then press Book Now. Accommodation upgrade options for the tour will then appear. If you arrive in the morning and are staying at the Marriott you will transferred from the airport to the hotel. You will then be picked up from the hotel at 1400 hours and transferred to the park HQ for the afternoon walk and tour of Deer Cave on day 1. On Day 2 you will be picked up at the Marriott at 0830 hours.

Recommended Flights

There are direct Kuching-Mulu MASWings flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays. Flights depart Kuching at 1005 hours, arriving in Mulu at 1140 hours. Mulu to Kuching flights operate on on the same days with departure from Mulu at 1415 hours. There are daily direct flights from Miri to Mulu.

There are direct Kota Kinabalu-Mulu MASWings flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays. Flights depart Kota Kinabalu at 1300 hours and arrive in Mulu at 1355 hours. The Kota Kinabalu to Mulu flight arrives too late in the afternoon for this small group tour. If you are coming from Kota Kinabalu you would need to arrive the day before to join this small group tour or take a private tour. If you arrive from Kota Kinabalu and take a private tour, you will proceed straight from the airport to the park HQ and begin the walk to Deer Cave. The Deer & Wind Cave tour may be slightly rushed in order to arrive at the platform area for the Bat exodus.

Note

We operate fixed departure Essential Mulu Show Caves & Pinnacles small group tours on Mondays, Wednesdays & Saturdays. We can arrange private tours on any day. Please email us on info@borneoadventure.com to arrange a tour on dates not shown in the booking engine. This is tough and challenging trek. You need to be reasonably fit to do the climb. According to Mulu park management the Pinnacles climb is not suitable for children aged 16 and younger.

These tours operate on the principle that you may be in a small group of other people.